At a media event in Germany, Royal Caribbean announced the technology advances coming to its newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas.

SMART Check-in

Before you even get onboard your cruise, guests can generate boarding documents online, upload their own ID photo, and receive digital boarding confirmation.  By the time they arrive at the cruise terminal for departure, Royal Caribbean guests can go from “sidewalk to ship” in 10 minutes with no check-in counter, no forms to fill out and no lines to stand in. 

Guests will be able to track luggage in real time on their smartphones.  Luggage will be tagged curbside with RFID technology at drop-off, and guests can monitor their bags’ progress through key points en route to the stateroom.  On departure, the process is reversed.   

SMART Concierge: Flexibility at your fingertips

Quantum of the Seas will offer new RFID WOWband wristbands, which require only a simple tap to quickly navigate the ship, make onboard purchases, serve as the room key and more.  

Simplicity and efficiency are also at the heart of two new apps that put guests in charge of their cruise choices: Cruise Planner, which allows guests to research and book dining reservations, shore excursions, spa appointments and more before their vacation begins; and Royal iQ, available as a downloadable app and provided at freestanding iQ stations around the ship.  Royal iQ allows guests to manage details during the cruise, includes a convenient calendar that provides at-a-glance views of their program, and keep in touch with one another and home via phone and text capabilities.

“Every vacation minute counts, especially on Quantum of the Seas where there is so much to see and do,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Executive Vice President, Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “Guests can now tailor everything about their cruise in advance, so they can start enjoying their vacation the minute they step onboard.  In essence, they get back the first day of their cruise.” 

Taken together, these features take the company’s time-saving efforts to a new level,” Lutoff-Perlo said. “Every minute we can save our guests is another minute of their vacation they have to enjoy.”

SMART Connect: Downloads at the speed of modern life

Quantum of the Seas will operate with unprecedented bandwidth using satellites launched by tech partner O3b Networks.  With speeds that match fast broadband connections onshore, guests can be online 24/7, no matter what personal device they bring onboard.  Guests can watch streaming video, check email, share images on social media and enjoy face-to-face video conversations – even in the middle of the ocean.

“Even when they are getting away from it all on vacation, people want to be able to connect,” said Lutoff-Perlo.  “Our satellite network will make things possible at sea that could never have been done before, and will make all the difference in the way guests share their Royal Caribbean experience.”

In addition, Quantum’s connectivity makes it possible for one of the SeaPods in SeaPlex to become a live global video gaming suite where guests can enjoy Xbox Live and compete with other gamers worldwide. 

SMART Experiences: Shaking martinis and spinning screens

Technology also powers surprise-and-delight elements on Quantum of the Seas.  A brand new venue, Bionic Bar, is set to make waves with robots at center stage.  Guests place orders via tablets and then have fun watching robotic bartenders hard at work mixing cocktails.   

Robots drive another entertaining feature on Quantum of the Seas.  Two70 is home to a playful and agile troupe of six Roboscreens that stage surprise performances during every cruise, creating scenes while soaring and twisting solo, or uniting as one.  Guests will also experience Vistarama, floor-to-ceiling glass walls that transform into an expansive ambient surface that projects any scene, real or imagined, including the multidimensional performance spectacle, Starwater.

Quantum of the Seas will take advantage of technology in functional forms as well.  Guest staterooms are equipped with device-charging USB outlets, as well as energy efficient and environmentally friendly lighting systems. Interior accommodations are outfitted with Virtual Balconies that display real-time sights and sounds of the sea through 80-inch LED screens, ensuring every stateroom has a view.

SMART Service: Crew can connect better with guests – and with home

The technology benefits of Quantum of the Seas extend to the ship’s crew.  Custom apps will allow crew members to keep better track of guests’ tastes and preferences, allowing staff to tailor their already remarkably personalized service to an even higher degree.  Whether a guest prefers gluten-free dining, early show seating, or shiatsu massage, the features of the smart ship allow crew members to anticipate every need.

And the ship’s remarkable capabilities give the company an opportunity to make life better for crew members too, since Royal Caribbean will present every crew member on Quantum of the Seas with a free, personal Microsoft Windows tablet, with a suite of services and apps that is theirs to keep.  And as technology upgrades are made across the company’s fleet, every shipboard employee in the entire Royal Caribbean International fleet will also receive their own tablet – a total of 40,000 tablets.  

“The Royal Caribbean men and women who provide such great vacations are the real heroes of our fleet and these gifts demonstrate our appreciation in a tangible way,” Fain said. “This technology isn't only about giving our guests a better vacation – it’s also about giving our crew and their families a closer connection than we’ve ever been able to” 

SMART Sustainability: Cleaner and greener

Technology has even played a part in making the ship more environmentally friendly.  Sophisticated computer modeling was used to reduce the vessel’s energy consumption with efficient hull configuration, engine design and energy saving devices.  The ship has eliminated the use of incandescent bulbs; all lighting will be provided by low-energy LED or fluorescents.  Motion sensors even dim hallway lighting when no one is present.  

We're counting down the days until Royal Caribbean's next cruise ship debuts, Quantum of the Seas, with our 99 days of Quantum countdown.  Each day we will post something about this amazing new ship.

Mamma Mia

Royal Caribbean revolutionized the cruise industry when it first started offering Broadway shows at sea and on Quantum of the Seas, the tradition continues with the hit musical Mamma Mia!.

The long running hit show will be performed on every Quantum of the Seas sailing and it's included in the price of the cruise.

The fact it's complimentary is a big deal when you consider what Broadway show tickets cost, even if the show is on tour off Broadway.  

Since 2009 three other Broadway musicals have debuted on Royal Caribbean: Hairspray, Chicago and Saturday Night Fever.  Each show has been a big hit with guests onboard as it offers yet another great entertainment option.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

Yesterday Royal Caribbean announced a technology reveal event for its newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas and today they announced that technology expert David Pogue will be part of the event.

Pogue is the host of NOVA ScienceNow on PBS, a columnist for Yahoo! Tech and a former technology columnist for The New York Times.

The big event is scheduled for August 25 at 10am eastern and will take place at they Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

The technology reveal for Quantum of the Seas is expected to follow the recent dining and enterttainment reveal events in showcasing what's new and exciting for Quantum of the Seas.  Royal Caribbean has built a reputation of pushing the envelope when it comes to technology on its cruise ships and this event should further than agenda.

One aspect of technology we know about that is coming to Quantum of the Seas is brand new high speed internet that will allow guests to stay connected at speeds never seen at sea.

We're counting down the days until Royal Caribbean's next cruise ship debuts, Quantum of the Seas, with our 99 days of Quantum countdown.  Each day we will post something about this amazing new ship.

Music Hall

An under-appreciated new feature coming to Quantum of the Seas has to be the Music Hall.  It's a dedicated venue for passengers to enjoy intimate and exclusive access to live performances.

Royal Caribbean describes the design as "rebellious and edgy" and when there isn't a live act performing, there will be dance classes and improv workshops.  

At night, the Music Hall will live up to its name with bands, musicians and DJs playing music for all to enjoy.

Music Hall will span two decks (decks 3 and 4) and was inspired by "the spirit of rock and roll". There's rich tones and lots of leather and mirrors.

Music Hall is purposely designed for unobstructed views of a raised main stage, creating optimal views from any area, including the balconies on a mezzanine level.

READ YESTERDAY'S POST ALL ABOUT HIGH SPEED INTERNET

The second level will feature a Royal Caribbean signature, multiple self-leveling billiard tables.

Music Hall feels like the evolution of the live music venues we've come to enjoy on many Royal Caribbean ships and bring the best elements of each to create a really fun dedicated venue for those that want to enjoy great live music.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

Royal Caribbean is teasing a new Quantum of the Seas event that will reveal the technological advances of this cruise ship next week.

The event will take place on Monday, August 25, 2014 at 10am Eastern time.

No other information about this has been released or announced yet but it will be another big event following the entertainment and dining reveals earlier this year.

James Beard award-winning Chef and Royal Caribbean Quantum Experience Advisor Michael Schwartz is not only serving up good food but authentic local brews. Chef Schwartz travels to Alabama where his signature Michael Genuine Home Brew is crafted that will be served up onboard Quantum of the Seas.

In the past few days, Royal Caribbean released an updated Quantum of the Seas cutaway and also announced its art collection for the ship.  Putting both together, we can now get a better idea of what to expect on the ship.

Blog reader Victor Sacal analyzed the new cutaway to look for what's new and the art work featured in the cutaway stood out.

In total, there are 10 art pieces you can now spot in the Quantum of the Seas cutaway.

1. Head (Via corridor)
2. "Waves of Light" (Via Rotunda)
3. Crossing (Aft elevator lobby wall)
4. Photography (American Icon Grill)
5. Photography (American Icon Grill)
6. Photography (American Icon Grill)
7. Andy Warhol Self Portrait (Aft stairs)
8. Diver (Aft Stairs)
9. From Afar (Outside SeaPlex)
10. Painting on oil (Vintages)

The Via Corridor, and The Via Rotunda is the space between the Aft elevators and two70.

Royal Caribbean has updated its Quantum of the Seas ship cutaway, which shows off many venues on the ship and gives a good indication of where everything is relative to ship.

Thanks to Victor Sacal for sending us a copy of this.  Among other new things the giant magenta bear has been added so this cutaway is as up-to-date as we have.

The full cutout is 8 megabytes (!) in size so you can download it here if you wish to see it in all its glory.

We're counting down the days until Quantum of the Seas debuts later this year with our 99 days of Quantum blog series. Each day we will post something about Quantum of the Seas to share with all of you!

Sonic Odyssey

Royal Caribbean's onboard entertainment has always been a strength and on Quantum of the Seas we will get a brand new show called Sonic Odyssey that will be unlike anything else we've ever seen at sea.

Set in the Royal Theater, the show is inspired by William Close, an amazing musician and innovator who is best known for his many one-of-a-kind instruments.  There's the Drum Cloud, Violin Dress and Royal Gong just to name a few of these new creations.

READ YESTERDAY'S POST ALL ABOUT WONDERLAND

Sonic Odyssey is centered around an Earth Harp, which is the largest stringed instrument on the planet.  The body of the instrument rests on the stage and the strings travel out over the audience attaching to the back of the theater, turning the theater into the instrument.

The show itself will include a nine-piece orchestra, singers, dancers, aerialists and gymnasts to perform in and around the audience. Royal Caribbean designed Sonic Odyssey to not be conventional but instead be something special guests have likely never experienced before.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!

To countdown the launch of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, we're blogging about one aspect of the ship each day for 99 days. Check back each day for something exciting to read about this new ship.

Wonderland specialty restaurant

Most people were expecting some new restaurants for Quantum of the Seas but I'm not sure anyone was fully prepared for Wonderland.

Royal Caribbean describes Wonderland as, "an elaborate feast for the senses in a setting where Royal Caribbean chefs twist their culinary kaleidoscopes to invent a dreamscape of never-before-seen fare".  When I try to describe Wonderland to someone, I basically say take everything you know about a restaurant and turn it upside down because Wonderland bends the realities of what a restaurant is.

READ YESTERDAY'S POST ALL ABOUT VIRTUAL BALCONIES

Wonderland is named after the place Alice visits from the tale of Alice in Wonderland.  Just like in the book, guests enter a place where nothing is what it seems and the chefs have taken time to create a gastronomic experience that is inventive and elaborate.

The creativity with Wonderland is what caught my eye during a Quantum of the Seas dining event in New York City earlier this year.  Royal Caribbean has really tried to create something completely unique and the result was a restaurant I cannot wait to visit over and over again.

Before you even sample a morsel of food, you will be dazzled by the room itself.  It's odd in an eccentric kind of way but the experience of eating here is an adventure in itself.  Royal Caribbean is using color, sclae and reflection to really create something original.

In terms of food, it's bleeding-edge modern cooking that is categorized by theme rather than course.  Wonderland features a variety of flavors, textures, temperatures and portion sizes, each presented in a non-traditional, progressive and creative fashion.  Did I mention this place is different?

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post as we celebrate 99 days of Quantum!